Main Entry: mon·as·tery

Pronunciation: \ˈmä-nə-ˌster-ē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural mon·as·ter·ies

Etymology: Middle English monasterie, from Late Latin monasterium, from Late Greek monastērion, from Greek, hermit's cell, from monazein to live alone, from monos single — more at monk

Date: 15th century

: a house for persons under religious vows; especially : an establishment for monks